Strong clashes erupt between Palestinians, Israeli police in Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Apr 22 (EFE).- The emblematic Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City saw strong clashes Thursday between Palestinians and the Israeli police, after a week of tension since the beginning of Ramadan.

Police used anti-riot dispersal means for several hours to avoid concentrations of people in the main access to the Old City, a measure implemented since the beginning of Ramadan last week, fencing the steps to prevent people from sitting down. This has generated discontent among Palestinian residing in the area.

Security agents used water cannons and bombs, while Palestinians threw stones and other blunt objects.

Although official figures of those injured and detained were not released, a few dozen needed mostly minor attention, although some had to be transferred to hospitals in the area.

These incidents also coincide with an increase in violent episodes between Israeli and Palestinian residents of the city, some of which were disseminated in recent days through the social network TikTok. It has been used by Jewish ultra-nationalist movements to call for violent demonstration Thursday at the Damascus Gate, in occupied east Jerusalem.

Although the hundreds of extremists who approached the vicinity of the Old City were stopped by police before arriving, their presence and summons did nothing more than incite Palestinian protesters. EFE

pd/lds